Creating Culture (part 3)
We’ve been talking about creating culture… specifically addressing what Church Online assumes about the world, and also reflecting on what it makes possible/impossible. In this last post I would like to hear your thoughts on the future. We are faced with the reality that Church 2.0 has the ability to shape the culture of tomorrow, and it is in this unknown that I would love to hear your postulations and pontifications. Joining me in this post is John Saddington from over at ChurchCrunch.com.
1) What new forms of culture are created in response to the Internet Campus?
Here is an opening for all Trekkies and BattleStar Galactica nerds fans to engage in dialogue about future developments relating to the Interwebs and culture. Especially relating to specific cultural tools that might come out of this movement.
Sam Duregger (me): I don’t want to get all “Big Brother” on you, but it seems that George Orwell’s classic novel “1984” is scary prophetic in its technological assumptions about the future… With most new computers having accessible webcams, or built in iSight camera’s, the reality is that people are able to see/hear you whenever your computer is turned on (given the appropriate permissions, of course). With this technology, the ability to facilitate video conversations via tokbox or userplane (which we already utilize for small group discussion) is already happening. And the hope is that as these tools rise in availability and mature in quality delivered, they can be used not only in small group settings but possibly in a larger contexts within the Global Church.
Outside of specific technology – I think the proliferation of social networking and digital media collapses the limitations of time. I believe that connectivity with others is enhanced by this virtual world. The stigma of e-Harmony has been that you don’t really “know” the person you see in the profile, but as the success of social network sites suggest, relationship is relationship no matter the medium. So culture supercedes geographic limitations, travel limitations and therefore time; as conversation is not limited to a specific “when and where.” A culture that embraces this as norm is forming (if not already established).
John Saddington of ChurchCrunch.com:
The rise of the so-called “iCampus” (Internet Campus) is birthing technological innovation in ways that the Church has never seen. It’s an exciting time to be a web technologist in today’s ministry economy. One of the most fascinating things, though, is that what we see the ministries and organizations use and build for their internet experiences is not wholly new nor groundbreaking from a pure technological and developmental perspective; the secular business world and marketplace has already “been there” and “done that” as they say.
But that doesn’t mean that the Church is “behind” because we’re building “cultural artifacts” that the world (not just the Church) has never seen; we’re being innovative at a far faster pace in a far more important sphere than the marketplace has ever or will ever be and perform.
You see, we’re taking web technology and looking at it through the lens of “community” almost exclusively. Why is this so important? Because it means that we do not have as nearly as many competing elements in regards to our motivation for creating, using, and applying web technology. A business concerns itself with “marketability,” “profitability,” “scaleability,” “competition,” and “return on investment.” We don’t have to worry about those things.
This “single focus” enables us to begin to use web technology in ways that the original authors had either never originally intended or never completely saw. Who, at Tokbox.com, would have ever conceived that their service would quickly become a medium for ministry conversations, let alone the much larger “Salvation Plan”? Did they ever sit down in a product development planning session and say: “Hmm… I bet Tokbox can be useful for discipling new Christians into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ…!”
These new, relevant, and powerful cultural artifacts through innovative application are setting the Church a part from the rest of the world without alienating it or discarding it as unuseful. And want to know what’s crazy? This is just the beginning.
What are some new forms of Culture that you think will come out of Church 2.0?
word up.
One thing I dig about the IC is the opportunity to interact with others while we are worshiping God together. Its a very communal environment and even though I have a great church, I plug into the IC almost every week to see what Brandon and the guys have going on. I am working with my own church to implement similar technologies to help our reach throughout the community and the world. Rock on guys!
I dig that as well
'interact with others while we are worshiping God together' And although we are also trying to leverage social networking at our church, I have a concern with interacting with an online community – I am only speaking for myself (and assuming that it applies to others) but the internet tends to bread Attention Deficit Behaviors.
You really have to be on top of your game to keep people(readers, visitors and participants) engaged and coming back for more.
ADD!? I actually agree with you on this one, it seems that the internet does foster this type of behavior, and as someone with ADD tendencies I couldn't tell you if it is a bad thing or a good thing as it is a normal everyday occurrence for me to be distracted from the project at hand. What I hope for is that the content does not always have to be on top of your game, rather that the community brings people back.
I would love to check out LifeChurch.tv, I listened to Craig Groeschel talk about 'IT' very cool.
but to be honest I am more interested in the video side of things
Pretty cool
I believe that Buckhead did something phenomenal with multi campus simultaneous live feed or something like that :O
It is amazing the reach a church can have nowadays, which is Scary with a capital S because we know that is means to have the Word preached to the ends of the Earth. hey.
Several new technologies on the horizon would be a version of SWARM, I see the ability to link cell phones like a SETI application. Instant news from the world on a single topic, mash together, and have a 360 inews source. The daily news sources only tell you what their sponsors (Government or Big Business) want you to hear. Second, we need a Global Database, a ONE ENUM system. People will want all of their profiles, screen names, email addresses, phone numbers of all types, to mash into one access "ENUM" contact.
Third, we need a Global Care System. This not only involves using our wireless, bluetooth technology to receive calls, but have POD's that can transmit important information to me through a filter profile that grants permissions. If I am not flying first class, and find my self in the cue, a POD could give me options to pass the time. I could download a quick podcast from Craig, I might want a LifeChurch game, or an Interactive session with a Life Group Leader. I could be in my car, and I want my bluetooth to interface with my telmatic system, While driving I may want my telematic system to pull a podcast or videocast through my bluetooth and play the file or give me a heads up transparent display on my windshield of Craig message.
Fourth, we need a User Interface that will consist of a cognitive and neural assistant, capable of learning the user’s activities, topics of interest, expertise, information needs, priorities and organizational roles. Let's start using technology to make it easy those we reach out to. Within the internal operation of LifeChurch the system should demonstrate the use of learned planning knowledge by the planning agent to (1) provide suggestions, and additional information (2) perform tasks automatically, and (3) delegate tasks to others and monitor their execution. This would free up resources to perform the more human tasks. Fifth, Mobile/Wireless/Web Holographic Displays are on the horizon. This will allow for virtual church attenders to become a holographic projection into a green room with Craig, giving us the feeling of attending with others. Through Tactile display units, we can virtually shake hands and be give a tactile feeling while being holographically involved with other virtual attenders. This is about 6 years away from the monetization process. You should start planning now.
A Logistic Management tool. This tool would allow members to inventory their supplies in order to help communities. We should all store extra food, paper supplies, medications, to help those in need during these hard times. And, what about all that stuff in your basement or attic, someone might need that, and you could bless someone. It would be good if each family stored a year of supplies and an additional supply to help others. If we plan now, and have a central church help with the storehouse management, many people can be helped/blessed.
this is what i'm talking about!!! utilizing "Big Brother" stuff for the Kingdom!!! Love it!
Today's missionaries have so much more (online translation, skype, social networking) that overcome obstacles that existed just 5 years ago. As a result, my hope is that the availability and low cost of so many technologies means that all of us take the initiative to use what we have to reach the corners of the earth. Our new culture will be decentralized and comprised of thousands of missionaries (in their own town or in foreign lands) sharing Christ.
word …. I think the pure-play focus on community/discipleship is the future of the Web ministry conversation. It has to be. It should be. And even more exciting still, i think we can teach physical church a thing or two along the way ..
amen and amen!
I think one area that will still need to be figured out by the Church Online is how to meet practical needs of it's members. For instance, if a person is involved in a local church and gets hurt or has a baby or has some other life change that requires assistance (help with errands, groceries, cleaning, etc), the local body has the opportunity to step in and meet those needs. How can we, the Church Online, meet practical needs for those in our community who live far away? I'm not smart enough to figure that out. I suppose that is the point of NASACrew's Logistical Management tool idea in some cases. What else can we do to reach out and meet the needs of our global community?
I may not be able to speak tech-speak, but my heart has certainly been touched by the Church online. Being a mom of four young kids, I am in a season of my life where being in constant community is tough. But the internet via Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Meebo, Tokbox, Blogs, etc. is allowing me to interact with other moms from all over. I am finding a lot of hope in the community of on-line and so are a lot of other moms like me. I get excited about the possibilities of the future, and excited the church is choosing to speak life via these new technologies.
Wow, love the thought around these comments. NasaCrew, I do think those technologies could be available as a real option in the next 6 years, which is why it is so important to keep the goals very clear. Whatever tools we can use to facilitate that.
The Internet is such a great connector and is so accessible. I can see the church more easily mobilized in their specific physical locations around the globe to meet needs (per Amanda) while still connected to the larger vision and movement. I also think these tools allow the church a way to provide clear steps, processes, content, etc. for those seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ (per Nick) anytime they need it. In these ways this tool allows the church to fulfill their mission on a broader scale to a broader audience in a 24-7 time-frame.
…all you commenting are truly a part of figuring this out and implementing it!
Greetings members,
Who does not need luxorious treatment while on holiday? Deluxe appointments, five-star meals, & amazing activities are available on all the ships from Crystal Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Tauck Tours sports different experiences at 103 different places. When your family order with Elite Cruise & Travel, your family can rest assured that your vacation will be just what you imagined.